What can be done to attract more backpackers? Hong Kong should not be considered a prime destination for backpackers, nor should it be changed to cater to their needs ('Guest house owners join call for heritage conservation', October 8). The forces of a free economy have dictated that Hong Kong is no longer dependent on cultural tourism. The tourism that drives our economy is based on shopping. The reason we see so many shopping malls going up is because they make money and enable hundreds of thousands of people to earn a living. Our economy cannot survive on so-called culture tourists any longer. I personally feel that comments about wanting to see how Hong Kong looked 50 years ago are selfish. We are not animals in a zoo for people to look at. Visitors from the west should feel proud that a free-market system is flourishing in a country under Communist control. But instead, they seem to want to see Hong Kong stagnate. The next thing you know they will want to see rickshaws back. Unlike countries such as the US, we do not have millions of miles of undeveloped land to build on. So, sometimes buildings have to be torn down to allow for redevelopment that is better suited to the needs of the current population. The needs of Hong Kong people to live in a prosperous environment outweigh the needs of the few who would like to cling to the good old ways. Those people who protest against such new developments are not champions of democracy or free speech. They are creating chaos by not seeking proper avenues of expression, such as public forums. Hong Kong would not be as prosperous as it is now had we adopted the path of conservation above all else. Hong Kong has changed and so should the expectations of our tourists. Usoff Tsao, Tsim Sha Tsui What do you think of the zero-carbon park? Thanks to all the cars in Hong Kong and factories on the mainland, air pollution in the city is getting worse. The air pollution index seems always to be at a high level and we seldom see blue skies. I think the proposal for a zero-carbon park is an effective form of conservation. The government should increase the number of environmentally-friendly parks. Parks like the one proposed can provide fresher air in Hong Kong. Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility. Daisy Poon Dik-see, Hung Hom Much of the technology we are using now is damaging the environment. Our cities are causing serious pollution and future generations will suffer because of the damage we are doing to our planet. Therefore, I think that the plan for a zero-carbon park is a good idea. I would like to see more of these parks built here and in other countries. Renewable energy helps us to save natural resources and will provide a better and healthier environment. Gloria Yeung, Siu Lik Yuen Should all products declare their trans-fat content? The World Health Organisation recommends a daily allowance of less than 2.2 grams of trans-fat as part of a 2,000-calorie diet ('Popular snacks laden with disease-causing trans-fats,' October 16). However, since most of the food we eat does not include details of its trans-fat content, it is difficult for consumers to gauge their trans-fat consumption. I think labels must give details of trans-fat content. Many products like cream-filled bread, French fries and biscuits contain a lot of trans-fat. Too much trans-fat can lead to serious illnesses, such as coronary disease. To make healthier choices, we should keep an eye on the quantity of trans-fats we are consuming. Carmen Ying, Aberdeen Our society is getting fat. High consumption of trans-fats and saturated fats leads to obesity. It also increases the chance of heart disease. In order to prevent such problems, information on trans-fat content should be available for all food products, including unpackaged food. Trans-fats should be added to what has to be included under the Nutrition Labelling Ordinance, because consumers have a right to know what is in the food they eat so they can then make their own choices. It would also mean that parents were better informed and could choose healthier diets for their children. It is the responsibility of the government to get food manufacturers to provide trans-fat content on the labels of their products, in order to protect consumers. Li Hon-kwok, Kennedy Town Should there be minimum-wage legislation? I think this kind of legislation could lead to low-skilled workers losing their jobs. Some people want to see a statutory minimum wage because they want to protect these workers. Many of these workers were employed because they had few skills, but were willing to work for low pay. However, if a minimum wage is brought into force, such workers might find they can no longer find work. What we should be legislating for is maximum working hours. I think such a law could protect low-skilled workers. Andy Chan Ka-ho, Sha Tin What is the best way to support the film industry? As individuals, what we can actually do to help the film industry is limited. Few of us have the resources to invest in films, which demand large budgets. However, what we can do is show respect for films by buying a cinema ticket rather than downloading a film from the internet that has been recorded illegally. I think this is the most effective way to support this industry. W. Cheung, Shek Tong
